Texas Could Make Big Money If Sports Betting Becomes Legal
A new report says that Texas could make over $360 million every year from taxes if sports betting becomes legal. It could also create over 8,000 jobs.
Jul 08, 2025
Right now, sports betting is not allowed in Texas. But the study shows that a lot of people in Texas would likely bet on sports if it were legal.
What the Numbers Say:
In the first year, people in Texas could bet $24 billion
In the third year, that could grow to $30 billion
When the market is fully developed, it could be $32.1 billion
The total money betting companies would earn (called Gross Gaming Revenue or GGR) could be $3.7 billion a year
What Texas Could Gain:
$360+ million in tax money every year
900 direct jobs and 7,100+ more jobs in other businesses
$2.6 billion added to the Texas economy each year
$24.3 million in other taxes (not from betting)
Texas could also become a main location for big companies like FanDuel and DraftKings. These companies could create up to 8,500 jobs and bring in $643 million in income.
But There’s a Problem:
Even with these benefits, sports betting is still not legal in Texas. Some politicians are not ready to support it. 41 other states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico already allow sports betting.
Professor Brandon Rottinghaus, a politics expert from the University of Houston, says that gambling laws are hard to change in Texas. Many lawmakers are unsure or do not want to talk about it.
He says that to make it happen, many people and businesses will need to speak up and support it. But even then, it will likely move slowly. Texas may first do a small study or allow a few licenses before making big changes.
Famous People Support It
Some important people in Texas want betting to be legal. These include Charlotte Jones from the Dallas Cowboys and Neil Leibman from the Texas Rangers. They say it will:
Keep people safe from illegal betting
Bring in money for schools and lower property taxes
Help the state grow
In Short
Texas has a big chance to earn money and create jobs with sports betting. But laws will take time to change. Most people agree it will happen one day — the only question is when.
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